| Earning a degree from an online school is a new and | | | | The anonymity involved with the internet is a difficult |
| exciting way for people to go back to school while | | | | obstacle to overcome sometimes. One of the easiest |
| tailoring their school experience to their lifestyles. Online | | | | ways to fix this is to post a picture of yourself online. |
| classes are still taught be teachers, and as with any | | | | Many schools have student profiles where students |
| school experience, a positive relationship with a | | | | can upload a personal photo that teachers have |
| teacher can go a long way in helping with classwork, | | | | access to. Find out if your school offers this and be |
| future courses, and even as a potential professional | | | | sure to fill it out completely. |
| reference. Since there is no physical classroom, | | | | E-mail Signatures |
| standing out can be difficult, here are some tips on | | | | Many e-mail services allow users to create |
| how to stand out in an online classroom. | | | | "signatures" to be placed at the end of their e-mails. |
| Participate | | | | These often contain contact information like phone |
| Participating in an online class can seem difficult at first. | | | | numbers, e-mail, and websites. Make a special school |
| Most classwork is reading, listening, or watching | | | | signature for yourself, so that when you e-mail your |
| lectures without any way of participating. However, | | | | instructor they have all of your contact information in a |
| e-mails can be sent to the professor asking questions, | | | | convenient place. |
| commenting etc. Aside from e-mails, many classes will | | | | Don't assume people get it |
| have discussion forums for students to post ideas and | | | | E-mail is a fairly unforgiving communication medium. It |
| respond to each other. Being an active member of | | | | often comes across as a casual way of talking with |
| these forums will help a great deal in showing the | | | | someone, and far too often people attempt sarcasm |
| professor you care and want to participate. Another | | | | or other kinds of humor online. This is never a good |
| option will be chats, some professors will offer live | | | | idea, since these comments can often be taken out of |
| chats where students can log on and ask questions | | | | context. There are icons called emoticons that can |
| and receive immediate feedback. Logging in to these | | | | help this, often displaying the intended emotion. Just |
| chats and asking questions is another good way to | | | | remember that using too many emoticons may come |
| show the teacher you are participating. | | | | off as too unprofessional to your teacher. What is also |
| Ask questions | | | | important is too avoid "text speak," a new set of |
| Without the ability to raise a hand, it is nearly impossible | | | | abbreviations used to make written communication |
| for a teacher to know you have a question. While | | | | faster, especially while texting with cell phones. Never |
| asking too many simple questions that a student can | | | | assume your instructor or classmates understand the |
| easily answer themselves can become weary for a | | | | abbreviations, all communication in an online class |
| teacher, legitimate questions about the course or | | | | needs to be understood by anyone who reads it. |
| clarification of the material is usually welcomed and | | | | Never be a "Flamer" |
| helps the teacher remember who you are. | | | | The fastest way to get noticed in a negative way is |
| Turn in assignments on time | | | | to be what is referred to as a "Flamer." The internet |
| This may seem obvious, but is quite important. When | | | | provides a layer of anonymity, and that often leads to |
| turning in assignments online, the teacher will receive | | | | people to leave comments and respond in a potentially |
| every assignment time stamped down to the second, | | | | offensive manner. It's important to remember that any |
| making a late assignment impossible to hide and will be | | | | e-mail, forum post, and instant messages will be |
| easily spotted by the instructor. While many professors | | | | treated as if said out loud in a classroom. It may be |
| may understand the various reasons a student may | | | | easier to be insulting online, but if you want to do well in |
| have for turning in an assignment late, it is never a | | | | an online classroom you should avoid it. |
| good idea to have the professor remember you as | | | | Following these steps will help you stand out in an |
| the person who turns in assignments late. | | | | online classroom and perform better in an online school. |
| Put a face with a name | | | | |